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It has been suggested that this article be merged into Eternal (group). (Discuss) Proposed since December 2023.
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Vernie Bennett
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| Birth name | Vernett Bennett |
| Born | (1971-05-17) 17 May 1971 (age 53) |
| Origin | London, England |
| Genres | R&B |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, lawyer |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals |
| Years active | 1992–present |
Vernett "Vernie" Bennett (born 17 May 1971) is an English singer.[1] She is a founding member of R&B girl group Eternal, with her sister Easther Bennett also a member. The original line up included Kéllé Bryan and Louise Nurding.[2]
Eternal were formed in 1992 and originally consisted of the Bennett sisters, Kéllé Bryan, and Louise Nurding. They became a trio in 1995 when Nurding quit the group to start a solo career, and a duo in 1998 when Bryan was dismissed by the Bennett sisters' solicitor. The group eventually disbanded in 2000 after selling 10 million records worldwide.[3][4][4] After the split, Vernie went back to university to finish studying law and has since settled down to family life with her husband. She has occasionally appeared on British television shows, both as a presenter and as a guest.
Born in 1971, she was brought up in Croydon, South London. As a child, she sang in a gospel choir with her sister, Easther.[2]
The band was formed in 1991[citation needed] and released their first single 'Stay' in 1993 which achieved their first top ten hit in the UK and their first top 20 hit on the American Billboard Hot 100 Chart.[5]
Nominated for four Brit Awards, the band went on to sing the soundtrack for the Disney film The Hunchback of Notre Dame and achieve several top ten hits. They sang for the Pope in the Vatican, took part in the anti-apartheid movement by performing in Johannesburg's biggest ever outdoor concert with Midnight Oil, Sting and other well-known artists in South Africa[6] and featured on a Pepsi campaign. The band sold over 10 million records and achieved their first number one in 1997.[7]
A total number of five albums were released throughout the band's career; Always and Forever, Power of a Woman, Before the Rain, Greatest Hits, and Eternal. The latter self entitled album only included Vernie and her sister, Easther, and included their first release "What'cha Gonna Do" before the group disbanded altogether.
Soon after the group disbanded, Vernie Bennett returned to her studies and completed her law degree. She went on to complete her Bar finals and has since settled down to family life with husband Bryan. Vernie was voted one of the one of the top 50 sexiest women in FHM[citation needed], and in 1998 featured on the front cover of Pride Magazine. She presented Songs of Praise, 'Gala Bingo' and at MTV Awards.
In December 2013, it was announced that Eternal would be reforming for the second series of the ITV2 reality-documentary The Big Reunion.[8] Redknapp chose not to take part, but wished her bandmates all the best.[9] Vernie, Easther and Kelle did the reality show without her. The reunion on ITV2 led to the group performing a number of select gigs in 2014 before disbanding one last time.
In 2014, Vernie talked to The Express newspaper about her anguish over losing her brother to lung cancer.[10] That same year, she walked half a marathon for charity on the 'Shine Walk' raising money in his honour. In 2015, Bennett appeared with her husband Bryan on ITVs All Stars Mr & Mrs and raised a further £30,000 for charity, which she donated to Cancer Research and CMV Action UK.[11]
She took her debut acting role on stage in Jack and the Beanstalk as the 'Spirit of the Beans',[12] and continues to be a supporter of the charity known as CMV Action UK.
In 2015 and 2018, she was a guest on the British game shows All Star Mr & Mrs and Big Star's Little Star.[1]
After the split, Vernie stepped out of the limelight and went back to university to finish studying law and has since become a practising lawyer. In 2006, she gave birth to her first child. In August 2010, she signed with ASM Artist Management. She currently lives in London with her husband and their two children.[13]
In September 2023, Vernie and Easther Bennett caused controversy after reports they refused perform at a number of LGBTQ+ Pride events and London festival Mighty Hoopla as part of Eternal's planned reunion tour.[14] The Bennett sisters said they "can’t support the LGBTQ community now it has an alliance with the trans community".[15] Vernie has been publicly critical via social media of trans right campaigns and stated that she believes that the gay community is being "hijacked" by the transgender community.[16] In response fellow band members Bryan and Redknapp withdrew from the reunion, each posting messages of support to the LGBTQ+ community.[17][18]
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